Car-coupling



(No Model.)

- E. KIRK.

GAR OOUPLING. I

No. 282,734. Patented Aug. 7, 1883.

fiAr KM NITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

ELI -KIRK, "OF OLARKSVILLE, OHIO.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,734, dated August 7, 1883,

Application filed May 25, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI KIRK, of Olarksville, in the county of Clinton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplings, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the end of an ordinary freight-car with my improved carcoupling attachment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same: Fig. 3 is a side view of the end of an ordinary draw-bar and pin. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pin-h older attachment. Fig. 5 is a perspective viewof the same, showing manner of applying.

The object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for coupling cars whereby the same may be manipulated without passing between the cars. It also provides a means for holding the pin preparatory to coupling, said holder being arranged so that when the draw-heads strike each other the pin will fall from the holder and couple the draw-head.

In the drawings, A represents an ordinary box-car, B the buffer-head, and G the crossbeam.

On the front face of the cross-beam O, and near the end and extending below the lower side of the beam, is a stirrup or guide, D, of iron or any suitable material, bent in the form of a loop, as shown. The upper ends of the loop are securely fastened to said cross-beam.

Beneath and securely fastened to the lower side of the car, a short distance from the side and end, is aflexible piece of steel, E, pendent from the bottom of the car. The lower end is provided with an opening, F, and a similar flexible piece is provided onthe opposite side of the car. A U shaped rod of iron or any suitable material is placed in the loops D,with the limbs G projecting backwardly and seeuredto the pendants E, so as to allow of afre'e movement backward and forward, and also to permit the forward cross-limb, I, to be vertically movable within the loops D. The limbs of the rod G extend forward through the stirrup D, from the flexible pieces E, a little beyond the forward face of the draw-head H.

Midway between the ends of the transverse part I, directly beneath the draw-head, is a vertical plate, J, securely fixed to the rod by means of bolts, clips, or in any suitable ,man-

ner. Said plate is designed to be immediately forward of the drawbar, and about six inches (more or less) in length, and as wide as an ordinary coupling-link, with 1ts upper end, A,

shaped as shown, so that it will engage the limbs of the link when raised.

On the iron beam 0, directly over the drawbar H, a bolt or pin, K, is placed, provided with the horizontal arm L, and having at its extremity the semicircular curve M, of sufiicient size to receive an ordinary coupling-pin. This bolt is secured to the cross-beam by means of staples. The bolt has projections 011 its front side for the reception of the staples, so that the bolt and arm can be raised or lowered to suit the different lengths of pins in coupling.

As will be seen, the advantages of this device are obvious. In coupling the cars the pin in one of the draw-bars is placed through the link. The operator can then stand at the side of the car, and by grasping the rod G bars in, and as the semicircular support M of the pin faces the beam 0 the pin is tripped from its support and couples the link.

fWVhat, I claim as new is- 1. In a draw-head-coupler attachment, the

U shaped rods G I, secured to the flexible pendent fingers at the rear end, having on the cross limb below the draw-head a vertical arm or plate, J, provided with an A-shapcd upper end to engage with the link, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In a draw-head-couple'r attachment, the vertical rod K, hinged in the staples to the beam 0, directly above the draw-bar and vertically adjustable, having the forwardly-projecting horizontal arm, provided with a semicircular end, M, to receive the coupling-pin, substantially as herein set forth.

3. The rod K, hinged to the carbeam O,vertically adjustable, and having ahorizontal arm, L, provided with a semicircular end, in com bination with the draw-bar and coupling-pin, In testimony that I claim the foregoing I substantially as herein set forth. havehereunto set myhand, this 8th day of May, 10

4. The U-shaped rod G I, secured to the 1883, in the presence of two witnesses.

pendent flexible arms E, and having 011 the 5 forward transverse limb, G, the vertical A- ELI KIRK shaped plate J, and the loops D, in conibina- Witnesses: tion-withthe draw-bar and coup1ing-1ink,sub- J. W. COMPTON, stantially as herein set forth. J. S. KIMBROUGH. 

